Each year around Halloween, the neighborhood around the Riverside Theater in Downtown Milwaukee turns into Milwookie, as fans from across the Midwest and the country flock to this yearly gathering to see Widespread Panic play three nights in a row at the historic theater.
This is the 17th year that the band has played its Halloween stand here. In fact, Oct. 21 has been declared “Widespread Panic Day” by mayoral proclamation in Milwaukee. The band and crew have often said Milwaukee is one of their favorite stops that they have throughout the year – and Milwaukee showed that love back to them during the packed show on night one.
The evening started off with a street party in front of the theater with Wisconsin band Steez playing and plenty of drinks to go around. Once the doors opened, the massive line of folks waiting to get in filed inside, and soon night one was was off and running. If the first show was any indication, the next two nights will be one heck of a party in ol' Milwookie!
Here are some images from the weekend's first show:
